Abstract
ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to understand the role of household variables on the percentage of physical activity (%PA) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) confinement in Portugal. Study designA cross-sectional study design using an anonymous online survey was launched to assess how Portuguese families with children aged younger than 13 years adjusted their daily routines to the confinement. MethodsSeparate analyses of variance were performed to investigate how factors such as the number of children, age, sex, the housing characteristics, and the adults' job situation can affect the percentage of time for PA (%PA). ResultsFindings, based on data from 2159 children, indicate that (1) boys and girls did not differ in the %PA on any of the age-groups; (2) children with an outdoor space and who had other children in the household were significantly more active (P < .001); (3) children from families with all adults working from home showed lower levels of %PA; and (4) being younger, having a big outdoor space, having other children in the household, and having at least one adult free from working from home were significant positive predictors of children's %PA, explaining 21% of the overall variance. ConclusionTime allocated for PA during this period is reduced compared with what is usually reported on normal days. It is necessary to find strategies to increase children's PA, especially in families in which both parents are working and have no outdoor space.
Highlights
Late December 2019, a series of unexplained cases of pneumonia were reported in the city of Wuhan, China[1]
Findings, based on data from 2159 children, indicate that: I) Boys and girls did not differ in the %PA on any of the age groups; II) Children with an outdoor space and who had other children in the household were significantly more active (p
Apparatus like Fitbit and similar can be used for addressing PA in the adult population[19], it is unusual to have these types of gadgets used by children, and in the wake of the sudden situation it was not possible to distribute such apparatus to families
Summary
Late December 2019, a series of unexplained cases of pneumonia were reported in the city of Wuhan, China[1]. The Coronavirus Study Group (CSG) of the International Committee on Virus Taxonomy, named it Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)[4]. As it continued to spread, on May 27, 2020, it had reached 188 countries, with 5.604.461 cases confirmed, of which 350.752 resulted in death. Schoolssystems were shut down, non-essential government and private services were closed, and employees were moved to work from home Portugal followed this same pattern, as schools, companies and non-essential public services across the country were closed on March 16th and the state of emergency was declared two days later, on March 18th. It is known that during long periods without school, children are more susceptible to unhealthy behaviors, such as excessive sedentary behaviors[6,7] with a negative impact on children’s motor competence[8], as well on their body composition and cardiovascular fitness[9]
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